SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - A new study finds gastric bypass surgery may not only help obese people lose weight it also helps them beat diabetes.
The study out of the Cleveland Clinic broke down the participants in three groups; one group did it the old fashioned way with diet and exercise, a second group with gastric bypass and a third group had a part of their stomach removed. The study found the group that actually went through the gastric bypass saw a reduction in diabetes.
Diabetes is developed after the pancreas stops working and no longer provides the body with insulin. The new study shows bariatric surgery can actually restore the function of the pancreas and put diabetes in remission.
Dr. Sangeeta Kashyap from the Cleveland Clinic explained, "Many of these people were hanging by a thread. Their pancreas was hanging by a thread and at the end of the two years the ability of the pancreas to produce insulin increased five-fold."
Dr. Ted Adams, Program and Research Director at the Live Well Center in Salt Lake City recently studied the on-going health benefits of gastric bypass. More than 1,100 severely obese patients were followed for six years. His study also showed cholesterol levels, high blood pressure and type ii diabetes decreased or were resolved in those who had the surgery.
Dr. Adams said, "With gastric bypass, almost irrespective of the weight loss, it appears to have an impact upon the pancreas that we don't quite understand the reason for that."
As with any surgery there are risks. So if you're considering gastric bypass you should first consult your doctor.
